Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Reasons the Leafs Should Trade for Carter Instead of Nash

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Columbus Blue Jackets seem poised to clean house, which may open the door for Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke to finally obtain his much sought-after top-line forward. 

While much of Leafs Nation hopes that Rick Nash is Burke's primary target, it may in fact be Jeff Carter, a player the Leafs boss has coveted in the past.

Regardless, both players come with big-ticket contracts, and while Burke has declared on numerous occasions his disapproval of long-term deals, he may do better to swallow his words and make a play for one of the two Blue Jacket forwards. 

If he does, Carter may be the better choice. Why?

I'm glad you asked.

The following five reasons make a strong case for the Leafs to pursue Carter instead of Nash. If you disagree, please comment and let me know. 

Positional Needs

Although Tyler Bozak and Mikhail Grabovski have played well this season, the Leafs remain physically soft and small down the middle. 

Carter, who is a natural center, is simply the better fix for this issue than Nash, who is a winger.

Positional needs are absolutely imperative to team success, and if Burke intends to fill the most glaring hole in his roster, Carter may be the ideal choice.

Financial Concerns

In a salary-cap league, big contracts can severely restrict the flexibility of any given team.

For this reason, among others, Burke has made it well known that he prefers to stay away from long-term deals. 

Both Nash and Carter are locked in until 2018 and 2022, respectively.

But Carter is signed for substantially less.

He is set to earn $5.27 million per season, while Nash is locked in at $7.8 million per season.

Pick your poison, Burke.

However, should the Leafs make a deal to acquire Carter, Phil Kessel would remain the Leafs' highest-paid forward at $5.4 million per season. This may or may not be an important factor that Burke considers.

Friendly Chemistry

Joffrey Lupul is currently enjoying a career year in Toronto.

Thus far, he has amassed a staggering 61 points—23 goals and 38 assists—which is good enough for eighth on the NHL's scoring leaders list.

Carter is not having a career year of his own, but it should be noted that he and Lupul are former linemates.

Having played together for the Philadelphia Flyers a few seasons ago on a line that also included tough-nosed forward Scott Hartnell, Carter and Lupul formed a dynamic trio, capable of scoring each shift. 

It is conceivable that, should Carter come to Toronto, the chemistry between him and Lupul be rekindled. Throw in Phil Kessel, alongside whom Lupul is thriving this year, and the makings for an extremely potent offensive top-line are a real possibility. 

Goaltending

It has been rumored that the Columbus Blue Jackets would want a goalie in return for any deal involving Nash, but considering that neither James Reimer nor Jonas Gustavsson has taken the reigns as the clear No. 1 goalie in Toronto, perhaps trading either of the two is a bad idea. 

If another team swoops in and strikes a deal for Nash and a goalie is in fact part of the deal, Burke may find himself in the advantageous situation of being able to trade for Carter without losing one of his two starting netminders.

The Shelf Will Remain Stocked

During his tenure as Leafs GM, Brian Burke has done well to acquire significant assets and, as he refers to it, has "stocked the shelf."

If the Leafs are to make a big deal at the deadline, they will more than likely be forced to part with a talented prospect or two.

However, should Burke go after Nash, he would practically have to mortgage the future of his club to consummate a deal.

Toronto would be better off taking less of a hit in a trade for Carter and keeping the "shelf" at least somewhat stocked.

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